A month has passed! Yet I still breathe.

Labels: books, christie, mystery

School has started, so that means that my reading list is currently dominated by books similar to History of Philosophy: a Short Narrative, volume 25563, or Lombroso's Genius & Insanity, or all the other equally exciting books. I'm going to be posting about them, for sure, but my comments will only be relatively intelligent.

For Japanese Lit Challenge, I'm currently reading Murakami's Wild Sheep Chase, having finished Flight of a Butterfly. I really want to talk about both of these books in detail, and I shall. Soon.

As far as other media goes, I've picked up Charmed again. Am currently on S04. Gossip Girl's new season has begun on September 1, but I have yet to finish S01, so I'm not watching it yet.

To my general horror, I've also read about four Harlequin novels lately. I figure this is the only kind of book I can process after coming home from uni & work, and instead of simply not reading anything, I pick anything with letters and go on.

Okay, I lie a bit. My original intention was research. I wanted to read a couple of romance novels to see if it's a type of book I can possibly write (I do this sometimes w/ other usually overlooked by me genres). It has been decided since then that I can't, but as there are still about four of them lying next to my bed, I just pick them up and scan through them as I fall asleep.

A more substantial post coming.

Labels: alma mater, anthro, books, challenges, charmed, japanese literature challenge 2, murakami, tv

As always, I'm reading many books at the same time.

The Kreutzer Sonata; by Leo Tolstoy
I thought I'd breeze through this book in an hour or two, but it's taking me much longer. I forgot that none of Tolstoy's books are easy reading, heh. So no matter how short the story is, it's not going to be a quick read. (Doesn't help that I'm a slow reader.)

I'm not sure how I feel about the book so far. While I can't help but agree with the main character's narrative at times, there are a lot of things that just make me go 'huh..?', and in a rather angry way at that. I've a poor choice of words here, but he seems to be a feminist and a sexist at the same time, and it's a befuddling combination.

Flight of a Butterfly; Various
A small collection of hokku, read for JLC2. I had thought in vain, once more, that I'm going to go through this one fast, because seriously, how long can a 300+ page book with only three lines on each page take you? :P But it turns out that I stop after nearly every poem to contemplate on it for an hour. The biggest part of the book is taken up by Basho (works of whom I've finished reading already), and now there are just small "trial versions" for many other poets.

Maria Fedorovna's Diaries
It's one of the very painful books to read, at least for me. Truly, it's just a simple narrative of her days (1915 and beyond), and truly, I know what's about to happen most of the time (I'm not the best History student, but not knowing that would've put me to grave shame), but it doesn't make it any easier. Though, reading Nikolai's diary two years ago was much worse.

Labels: books, history, japanese literature challenge 2, memoirs, poetry, russia, russian

Moi Lichniy Vrag; by T. Ustinova;
(My Personal Enemy)

I've been braindead for ages, so I asked my Mum to rec me some easy reading. Fiction that's pleasant enough, not too thinky, not too simple. Nothing that would make me want to wash my eyeballs and put them on shelf to rest. Forever.

I liked Ustinova's works. Sure, she belongs to the army of many a mystery writers who somehow manage to produce eight hundred paperback volumes per year, but she's one of the best in there.

Moi Lichniy Vrag is a story about a young woman who works on one of the major television channels in Russia, and somehow finds herself in the middle of a dirty intrigue. Her loved one turns out to be a classical asshole, friends all around happen to enter gloomy times of their own (though they do not abandon her), she's left jobless... blah, blah.

Ustinova paints her characters well. Sometimes I get the feeling that she goes overboard with protagonists (though the supporting cast is never left out), but she does it so well, it doesn't annoy me. (Only just a little.) And there's also one definitive thing I enjoy in her writing: she creates little details and never forgets to pick them up throughout the story. These little signs that actually make you feel like you know the character.

Lovely.

Somehow, there are three versions of this book (paperback, hardcover, audio) currently available on Amazon. I'm shocked. So if you speak Russian, go for it. Even if your level is intermediate. It's easy to read and is entertaining enough.

Labels: books, mystery, russian

I've had this diary since the end of December 2007, and have grown quite attached. Llewellyn's almanacs, datebooks, calendars are great. I really enjoy them.

The book starts with a short guide to using your datebook properly. Then go five articles which I have enjoyed quite much, particularly the ones on Magical Clothing and Thoughtforms.

Then follows the diary part of the book -- d'oh. It's very functional indeed. Every page spread has a week's worth of days (Mon-Sun), and every day has references on colour correspondence, moon phase, and interesting historical facts or superstitions, where relevant. There's enough space to jot down important events & your basic schedule. Additionally, prior to every Sabbat there's a description of it (great for beginner Witches!), and a corresponding recipe (suitable for vegans, too) -- do try those Beltane Passion Cookies! Every Moon of the year is given a rather thorough description. And if that's not enough for you, then there are always gorgeous illustrations by Jennifer Hewitson and pagan-inspired poems.

The book ends with an Appendix of correspondence & reference tables, and a mini-phonebook of sorts.

Also, as it is practically a diary that you can carry around with you, I feel the need to say that it's very durable. I have the tendency to throw many things in my huge bag of woe where they all bounce about chaotically -- and its laminated cover is still intact. Looks very decent still.

I really recommend this thing. I'll be getting the 2009 one too.

Labels: books, paganism, wicca

a Man without a Country; by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

A man without a Country is a collection of short essays, released in 2005. Tey cover a vast array of topics: It seems that Mr Vonnegut managed to discuss the most important issues in his shortest book. From the importance of music and humour, to gender, racial and national differences, to Mr vonnegut's way of posting his manuscripts to his friend so she could type them neatly for him -- it's all there, and it's all written in Kurt Vonnegut's light-hearted unique style.

It's been said that Kurt Vonnegut intended this to be his final work. Sadly, this statement of his was proved true by his demise in April 2007.

So it goes.

It is strange. I sat down in front of my computer with full intention of writing a three-page entry on this amazing collection of essays, only to find myself at a loss of words. It's just that everything that could've been said, Mr Vonnegut has said himself. I have read many a review online, and none of them do the book any justice. they range from humour praise to political criticism, or from humour criticism to political praise. They grab onto one phrase and never let go of it, failing to discuss the rest of the book. They compare a Man without a Country to Mr Vonnegut's other works. They bash it endlessly, or they praise it, perhaps out of habit. They do it because they fail to say something, anything, meaningful about the book itself.

I am one of them, rather unfortunately.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is at least remotely interested in Kurt Vonnegut's works, or post-modernist literature in general If anything, it was great to see that even at the age of 82 Mr Vonnegut maintained his clear voice and his heart-warming outlook on life. He was, and remains, one of the greatest American authors.

Labels: books, vonnegut

Slaughterhouse Five; by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

The problem with Mr Vonnegut's books, for me, is that I can never really describe what's going on to anyone, yet I always want to wholeheartedly recommend them. I remember somebody describing his books to me as being boring, and all I really wanted to do was scream my head off at them. They're not boring. They're anything but. Sure, non-linear narrative could wear one out. It's not for everyone. But me, I end up loving every word, every twist & turn, or, should I say, jump.

I constantly want to illustrate them. Draw characters, scratch sceneries, take photos of settings that I deem appropriate for this or that book of this author.

I wish I were a faster reader. I want to have as many of his inspirational writing in my mind, as possible.

Labels: books, vonnegut

Some of these are fairly old reads.

Breaking the Da Vinci Code, by Simon Cox;
I love books like Da Vinci Code because they give me a basic (and fictional) introduction to things I've heard and had a vague idea about. So usually after reading something DVC-esque, I ask, "Hmm... Is it true?.. I wonder," and go on a research spree. So needless to say I liked Breaking the DVC. Now I have a fictional introduction, and a basic introduction to subjects of interest. Basically, Breaking the DVC is some sort of a 'reading list' for me. Whenever I want to pretend that I'm a smart-ass, I grab the book, open it on any page, and google the subject. :P


the Vampire, by Montague Summers;
GOD AS MY WITNESS, it took me years to read this book. And seeing as I spent so much time reading it, I remember nothing, with an exception of a legend or three. I may have to return and reread it at some point in life, but definitely not in the foreseeable future.

Satanic Bible, the, by Anton Szandor LaVey;
I've had my issues with this book (even more so on the second reread, and even more so with Russian translation), but overall it's quite useful and informative. Groundwork, so to say. Starting point of thorough research.

I really like the way LaVey argues his points of view and theories, though. I don't always agree, but it's enjoyable to read.

Alexandrian BOS;
Yes, well, can't exactly take notes on BoS of varying traditions. Mostly read it to study further.

Witchcraft Today, by Gerald Gardner;
One of the first books on Wicca I've ever read.

69, by Ryu Murakami;
I am sad to note that I remember very little from this book. I've read it during a rather rough personal time. I recall some of the things resonating soundly with me. Not the drunken dirty orgies part, though. :P Some general life observations.

Labels: books, paganism, russian, satanism, vampirism, wicca

All by Arthur Conan Doyle, all dealing with Sherlock.

List of short stories I've read so far:

• The Boscombe Valley Mystery
• A Scandal in Bohemia
• The Five Orange Pips
• The Man with the Twisted Lip
• The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
• The Adventure of the Speckled Band
• The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor
• The Adventure of the Yellow Face
• The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual
• The Adventure of the Final Problem
• The Adventure of the Empty House
• The Adventure of the Dancing Men
• The Adventure of the Priory School
• The Adventure of Black Peter

Aw, my little old book is falling apart. I've about 1/3 left to go, and then another book I bought in a used books shop. Most of the stories in that book are repeats from the one I owned, but some aren't, so it was definitely worth that less-than-1-dollar I paid for it. If not more.

Labels: books, mystery, russian, yay sherlock

If you're still surprised that I read other things besides fanfics about sordid relationships between certain HP characters, then you're to be surprised again. :P

Cards on the Table, by Agatha Christie;
TSK, Poirot novels are my favourite ones. I AM RUNNING OUT OF AC BOOKS IN THE HOUSE.

Fugitives and Refugees: a Walk in Portland, Oregon, by Chuck Palahniuk;
Makes me want to go to Portland and walk all over the place with this book in hand.

I have strange relationships with CP's books. I attack them like crazy, but have the tendency to stop somewhere in the middle for a month, and then finish in one sitting. So it takes me two sittings to finish the book, but they often have a huge time span between them. No idea why.

Red-Headed League, the, by Arthur Conan Doyle;
This book that contains this story, it's older than my mother. It's old, it's falling apart, its pages are all yellow with darker spots here and there. And it's so pleasant to read because of that.

Unfortunately, it's published in a rather... scatter-y way, meaning stories from various anthologies and one novel were crammed into one book, so there's no real order to it. It's no big deal, since it doesn't change the content (and context, presumably), it just means that I'm going to list separate short stories as I read them, not the finished anthologies. :P

Blah di blah...

Sex and the City, by Candace Bushnell;
I've read it in English after reading it in Russian, and was surprised at how much the translation altered the book's mood. I know it happens, but this book is the perfect example, I believe.

Anyway. I like the book, and I like it more than the TV series. *DODGES BULLETS* They're like two different universes anyway, the book and the TV show. There are some particular quotations that I enjoy, but since I didn't own the book and don't have it anymore, I'll be able to post just one.

Wiccan Prayerbook, the: Daily Meditations, Inspirations, Rituals, and Incantations, by Mark Ventimiglia;
I'll have to admit: my first reaction to this book was disappointment. I figure the main reason is that I'm not Wiccan (as I keep stating over and over :P). Or the fact that I'm simply not the one to pray. But as I studied it more, it grew on me. There's certainly something very calming about a lot of these incantations.

Labels: books, mr palahniuk, mystery, paganism, russian, wicca, yay sherlock

And I cannot lie.

Notes from My Travels, by Angelina Jolie;
This book features AJ's journals during her missions in Cambodia, Pakistan, Africa, and Ecuador. Writing is very simple and very sincere, and I seriously can't recommend this book enough. It opens your eyes to many things, and even when you knew some of those things already, it puts this new light on them.


Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham;
Quite a useful book with enough information to get you on your solitary way and going. I don't consider myself Wiccan, but that won't stop me from recommending this book to pagans, whatever their path might be.

Llewellyn Wiccan Almanac 2007;
I mostly bought this book for calendar featured, and some of the articles in it ended up being valuable enough. For a change. :P

Why Didn't They Ask Evans?, by Agatha Christie;
Yay, Agatha Christie books. I figure no blurb needed about them. They're cool. Very cool.

Labels: aj, books, paganism, wicca

Diary of the Last Russian Emperor;
It's not the complete diary I'm reading, all I could find was this smallish book, December 1916 - June 1918. He was a fascinating character. Diary entries are very short and straight to the point.

He liked long walks and read a lot. Loved his family and his country.

His execution was an abominable crime. I don't bother myself with hating Communism & Bolshevik party, since it's just a stupid thing to do and is a huge waste of time and nerve cells; but this? The whole family! The children!

There you go. An Unforgivable for you.

Labels: books, history, memoirs, russia